Discriminating signaling apparatus



Dec. 28 1926.

J. E. o sTLlNE DISCRIMINATING SIGNALING APPARATUS Filed May ,14, 1925 NNN Patented Bcc. 28, 1926.

' iii-irre srarss e rear? teneis H14' E. OSTLINE, OF CHECAGO, LLITO'IS, ASSGNOR, BY MESNE ASSGNMENTS, TO

AUTOMATIC ELECTRC INC., 0F CH'ICAGO, ILLINOS, COBPORATON 0F DELA- wann.

Application filed May 11i, 1923.

rIhis invent-ion relates in general to discriminating signaling apparatus for automatic telephone systems, in which local subscribers call the special service operators for the purpose of initiating long distance, toll, or suburban calls. More specifically, the object of the invention is to provide a restricted service attachment at the substation, when special (long, distance, toll, or suburban) service is denied, and means operative at the central oiiice for automatically advising the special service operator of the character ot the calling substation. y

To accomplish the ioregoing` and other useful ends this invention comprises means which will be fully described in the specification which is to follow, reference beine; had to the accompanyingl drawing, which shows diagrammatically the apparatus and circuits involved in a complete connection between a calling subscriber at substation A and a trunk line extending` to a special service operators position M, by way of line switch C, selector E and repeater R.

The substation may be otl any approved induction coil automatic type. As represented herein, it comprises essentially the receiver 1, switchliook 2, calling device 3, transmitter 5, induction coil 6, restricted service attachment S, condenser' 9, and bells 10.

The restricted service attachment SI comprises essentially the following: spring 40, to which is fastened the iron member 8, and which has a contact point in its end; spring 7 which has a contact point in its end; and supporting` member or bracket l1 which may be mounted on the terminal block in the bell box, as in this case, or other convenient points so long` as operation of the attachment is permitted. Springs Ll() and 7 and supporting;` member Ll1 are assembled by means ot various washers, insulators and screws L13. Adjusting' screw 4-2. in supporting member 41, is used to secure the proper tension in spring' L10 thus permitting` it to operate only under certain conditions.

i The line conductors 11 and 12 of the substation A are connected at the central oi'iice to the individual line switch C which is mechanicallj.v ot the rotary type in which the DISCRIMIIS'ATING SGNALING APPARATUS.

Serial No. 638,732.

wipers have no normal position and move in a forward direction only.

Line switch C has access to a plurality ot trunk lines extending to selector switches.

` one of which is shown in outline at E, which are mechanically of the well known vertical and rotary type in which the bank contacts arearranged vin horizontal rows or levels.

A selector switch of the foregoing description may be operated in response to the first digit in a called number to select one ot the main groups into which the subscribers lines in the system are divided. For this purpose the selector E, in common with other selectors may be given access to a number ot' groups ot trunk lines (not shown), each ot which groups extends to a group oit second selector switches.

lt is customary to use only nine of the irsx selector levels for trunking to second selectors, as outlined above,one of the levels, usually the tenth, being,` reserved for the trunks extending?)` to the special service oi erators by way ot repeaters such as the outgoing special service repeater R. One of these latter trunk lines, indicated in the drawingl by the reference characters 97, 98 and 99, extends from bank contacts G5, G6 and 67 to the trunk apparatus associated therewith at the repeater R and thence by conductors 211 and 212 to the operators position M.

The outgoing special service repeater R consists essentiallyot a plurality of relays, an individual signal lamp L, and an impedance coil 107, together with suitable circuits for performingthe necessary functions, as will be pointed out. ably common to a as R.

rllhe tern'iinating,` equipinent at the special service operators position consists essentially of the polarized relay 201, ditferent colored signal lamps L1 and L2, and a key K. in operators simple and wellknown head set circuit is also shown diagrammatically ati).

Having given a brief description of the apparatus, the operation of same will new be explained more in detaih For this purpose it will be assumed that the subscriber group of repeaters such Battery B is preter-` Lll) at substation A, which subscriber it will be further assumed is to be denied special (toll) service, desires to call a saecial service (recording) operator O in ort er to place a long distance, toll, orV suburban call, as the case may be. In order to do this, the subscriber at substation A removes his receiver and then dials the operator-s number.

*When the receiver is removed at substation A, line relay 111 energizes over line conductors 11 and 12, but the primary winding ot the induction coil at the substation, in series with the line relay, is not energized sutticiently to attract armature 3. energizing, line relay 11 places ground on private normal conductor 30 at armature 19, thereby making the calling line busy, and closing a circuit for switching relay 13 and stepping magnet 15 in series. As a further result ot the energization ot line relay 14, it connects test wiper 22 to the junction of switching relay 13 and stepping magnet 15 at armature 20.

In case the trunk upon which the wipers of the line switch are standing is idle, switching relay 13 energizes immediately. Assuming the trunk to be busy, however, witching relay 13 is short circuited by ground encountered on the busy test contact by test wiper 22 and does not energize, and the wipers are rotated step by step by the buzzer-like action ot stepping magnet 15, which operates through test wiper 22. "When an idle trunk is reached, which trunk it will be aisumed is the one terminating in bank contacts 241, 25, and 26, switching relay 13, being no longer short circuited, energizes in series with stepping magnet 15. Stepping magnet 15, however, does not energize at this time on account otl the high resistance of switching relay 13. Switching relay 13, upon energizing, opens a point in thetest circuit and prepares the holding circuit at armature 17, and at armatures 16 and 13 disconnects line conductors 11 and 12 Afrom the winding of line relay 111 and ground, and extends them by way ot' wipers 21 and 23, bank contacts 2/1 and 26, and the associated line conductors to the windings ot the line relay ot the selector E. rlhe line and release relays (not shown) oit the selector E now energize and prepare the switch for operation in the usual well known manner.

Willen the calling subscriber A operate his calling device in accordance with the special service (recording) operators number, in this case naught (),the selector E raises its wipers 62, 63 and 6a opposite' the desired level, in this case the tenth, of bank Contact; and then selects an idle trunk. 1t will be assumed that the trunk selected at his time is the one extending to outgoing special service repeater l, indicated as 9T, 93 and 99. That being the case, line relays Upon 101 and 104 of the repeater R energize over lthe calling line, the former closing a circuit at armature 114. for relay 103 by way -otl armature 113 and its resting contact,

and at armatures 111 and 112 preparing a circuit over which battery B is subsequently connected in series with the exchange battery. Battery B is short circuited through the individual trunk lamp L for the time being, however, at armatures 116 and 121. Relay 103, upon energizing, places ground en release trunk conductor 98 at armature 120, thereby closing the usual holding circuit tor the preceding switches E and C; opens one point. in the short circuit of battery l at armature 121; and closes a circuit atarmature 122 tor relay 102 by way ot ground, working contact o1 armature `r113 and said armature. Relay v102, upon energizing, locks itself up at armature 117 by way ot' ground, working contact ot armature 113 and said armature; places additional ground on release trunk conductor 98 at armature `115; opens at armature 118the circuit tor'relay 103; and opens at armature 116 the short circuit of battery B. Pending the deenergifzation of rela-y 103, then, battery B is connected in the line circuit in series with the exchange battery `over the tollowing path: ground, relay 104, trunk line conductor 99, bank contact 67, wiper 64, bank contact 26, wiper 23, working contact ot' armature 13 and said armature, line conductor 11, calling device 3 (substation A), spring a, transmitter 5, winding ot' induction coil 6, line conductor 12, armature 16 and its working contact, wiper 21, bank contact 24, wiper 62, bank contact`65, trunk line conductor 97, armature 125 and its resting contact, armature 111 and its working contact, signal lamp L, battery B, 'working contact of armature 112 and said armature5 armature 126 and its resting contact, and relay 101 to grounded battery. These Ibatteries in series energize the induction coil 6 (substation A) sutliciently to operate armature 8 ot the restricted service attachment, which armature, as betere mentioned, is tensioned against operating on the normal operating current. Armature 8 places ground on the line circuit by way ofthe working Contact ot' spring 7 and shorts out relay 104e (repeater Relay 1-, upon deenergizing, closes a circuit at armature 124 'tor relay 106 as follows: ground. working Contact oi armature 114 and Said armature, armature 11S and its working Contact, armature 123 and its working contact (relay 103 beingl slow acting holds up sutliciently long to complete this circuit), armature 124,A and its resting contact, relay 106 to grounded battery. Relay 106, upon energizing, locks itself up at armature 130 by way ot ground, working Contact Uitl of armature 119 and said armature; and rc- Yerses the direction of signaling current to be applied to the selected trunk line, at armatures 12S) and 131. Relay 103, upon tinally deenergiainn', again closes at armature 121 the local short circuit ot battery B, and closes circuit at armature 123 for relay 105 by Way of Agroundl` working contact of armature 111 and said armature, armature 118 and its Working contact. rllhe short circuiting oi battery B, referred to above, allows ara ature 8 ot' the restricted service attachment at the calling substation A to tall bach, thus ren'ioisfiirg,l the ground or short from the line circuit and allowing line relay 104 to reenergize.

Relay 105, upon energizing, opens at armatures 125 and 126 both sides of the test battery B circuit; and closes at armatures 127 and 128 the signaling current circuit as follows: ground, right hand Winding of i1npcd-.ance coil 107, Worliiig contact oit armature 131 and said armature, working` contact of armature 128 and said armature, trunk conductor 212, polarized relay 201, trunk conductor 211, armature 127 and its Working contact, armature 129 and its Working contact, lett hand Winding ot impedance coil 107 to grounded battery. Polarized relay f' 201 energizes over the circuit reterred to above, and actuates its arniature 203 in the proper direction vto close a circuit for red lamp lf by Way ot key K. lted lamp L2, upon lighting, notities the operator ot the call and that the substation is a restricted service (no toll) substat-ien.

At an unrestricted substation no attachment used, consei'piently `when such a substation malien a call no ground will be picked up at an rinature such as 8 to short out line reay st and close a circuit for relay r106. Signa-ling current will therefore be applied over the followingl circuit: ground, right hand Winding ot' impedance coil 107, resting cont ct ot arn'iature 129 and said armature, Working contact ot armature 127 and said arniature, trunk conductor 211, polarized relay 201, trunk conductor 212, armature 12S and its Working contact, armature `131 and its resting contact, lett hand Windingor" iin-4 pedance coil 10T to grounded battery. Polarized relay 201, upon energizing, operates its armature 20255 in the proper dir Action 'to close a circuit for white lainp if by way of liey l. ldlhite lamp L1, upon lighting, noti lies the operator ot the call and that the supsl'ation is an unrestricted service'substation.

.ilpon the operator rec dying either the red or u'liite signal, depending on 'the class ot substation ca .ingxl sheA bric ges lier head set acr thc tru l: conductors 211 and 212 by means ot' key l thus permitting cenrersatien between her and the calline' subscriber und extinguishing the signal lamp. Upon learning the calling` subscribers desired number or call, she either n'iales a ticket ou the call or denies the service as the case may require in the usual Well known manner.

lllliatercr may be the character ot' the conyersatOn, the calline' subscriber Will iinally terminate it and will replace his receiver, bringing i tout the disconnection of the apparatus'in the usual manner. Briey, upon the deenerg'ization ,olf the line relays 101 and 101i, relay 102 deenergizes and breaks the holding circuit 9S at ari'nature 115 whereby lineewitch C and the selector E restored to no .l position; and breaks the locking,` circuit at ari ture 119 for relay 106 in case saine was ope ated. Relay 105 also deenere'izcs and disconnects the signaling current iiroin the trunk circuit, Wnereupon all the apparatus will have been restored to normal.

1farticular attention directed to the fact that with the attaclnnent applied at the substation it is possible to furnish restricted service to separate parties on party lines Without interi ring;l with the other subscribers on the line. The line extending to substation A, it will be understood, may be a party line, having one or more other stations connected in bridge thereof like substation it is also possible to restrict extension telephones orniale them no toll, which is ot value to busu'iess houses Where employees have access to said telephones.

Attention is further directed to the ease, simplicity and et? ctiveness ot the scheme, as follows No change in circuits required at the substation.

No special changes or attachments to the line equipment required in the central otlice. -v

No equipment, calfling or Wiring required in the central otlice except at the oiitgoing special service repea ers, with a small direct current source.

No interference with transmisfaicn, nor indue-tance dzsturlrinces.

A positive risible restricted service, (no toll) signal in liront olf the operater.

Having; described my vfcntiou, what l consider to be new and de re to have protected by Letters Patent will be pointed out in the appended claims.

What 1 claim is: Y

1. ln an automatic telephone exchange system, subscribers lines Whosestations are divided into two classes in accordance with the kind ot service to which they are entitled, means or extending one ot' said lines to an operators position, a switchhook and a calling device at the station on the calling line tor controlling said means, a signal control device at the station on the callingl line, i

2. In a telephone system, a plurality of substations divided into classes in accordance with the kind ot service to which they are entitled, the substations ot one class being entitled to have calls charged, while the substations et the other class are not entitled to have calls charged, means for extending any line when calling to an operators position, automatic means controlled from the substation on the calling line for informing the op erator of the class to which the calling substation belongs, and devices provided only at the substations of the second class it'or controlling said automatic means.

3. In an automatic telephone system, a plurality ot subscribers lines, a plurality of subscribers stations, certain ot said stations having restricted service. a service restricting device at ear-h restricted service station, means 't'or extending any line to an operators position, and means at the exchange operating ditierently depending on the presence or absence ot' a service restricting device at the substation on the calling line for giving the operator a characteristic signal without the knowledge ot the calling subscriber when the calling station is a restricted service one.

el. .ln a telephone system, a plurality ot subscribers stations of different character, automatic switching equipment tor enabling the subscriber at any station to extend a connection to an operators position, and automatic means selectively controlled from the station on the calling line after said connection is -completed for giving the operator a characteristic visible signal indicative of the character of the calling station without. the knowledge of the calling subscriber.

In an automatic telephone system, a plurality ot' subscribers stations having induction coil type telephones, certain ot' said stationshaving restricted service, an attachment on the induction coil at each restricted service station, automatic means enabling any subscriber to extend a connection to an operators position, and means controlled by the attachment in case a restricted service subscriber is calling :tor causing a distinctive visible signal to appear at said operators position to notify the operator ot the class ot station calling.

6. The combination, with restricted and unrestricted subscribers stations, said restricted stations having an attachment placed on the induction coil, of a repeater, means whereby any subscriber can extend connection to said repeater and thence to an operators position, means whereby said repeater tests for the presence of said attachment, and means whereby said attachment causes said repeater to reverse the direction ot signaling current and give the operator a characteristic signal indicative of the class ot' station.

7. In a telephone system, party lines, a

plurality of stations on said lines divided into classes in accordance with the kind ot service to which they are entitled, each party line having stations belonging to diii'erent classes, means for extending any line when calling to an operator-s position, and automatic means tor informing the operator ot the class to which the calling station bclongs.

S. In a telephone system, aline, a plurality ot' stations on said line divided into classes, each class comprising one or more of said stations, means conrollable from any station on said line tor extending the line to an operators position, and automatic means tor informing-the operator of the class to which any calling station belongs.

9. ln a telephone system. a line, plurality ot' stations on said line, one ot said stations being denied service o't' a particular kind, means -controllable from any station on said line for extending theline to an operators position, and means automatically responsive only in case the denied service station is calling tor giving the operator a denied service signal.

l0. in a telephone system, a line, two classes of stations on said line, means controllable from any station on said line tor extending the line to an operators position, two signals at the operators position, and means automatically responsive in case al station ot one class is calling for operating one ot said signals and in case a station ot the other class is calling for operating the other ot' said signals.

11. In a telephone'system, a line, a plurality of stations on said line, one ot said stations having a restricted service attachment placed on the induction coil, a repeater at the exchange having a line relay therein and a booster battery associated therewith, means whereby any subscriber can extend -connection to said repeater and thence to an operators position, a signaling circuit, means whereby said booster battery is connected temporarily in series with said line relay and with the exchange battery for energizing said coil to operate said attachment, means whereby said attachment shorts outsaid line relay, and means responsive to the deenergization of said line relay to cause a reversal in the direction of current in said circuit to give the operator a characteristic signal indicative of the class ot station.

12. In a telephone systeni, a line, a plurality ot stations on said line, one ot said stations having a restricted service attachment placed on the induction coil, a repeater at the exchange having two line relays therein and a booster battery associated therewith, means whereby any subscriber can extend a connection to said repeater and thence to an operators position, means for automatically causing one of said line relays to llO connect said battery to said repeater tor testing for the presence ot said attachment, and means whereby said attachment causes the other line relay to be shorted out to give the operator a characteristic signal indicative of the class of station.

13. rl`he combination, with restricted and unrestricted subscribers stations, each ot said restricted stations having an attachment placed on the induction coil, ot a repeater having a line relay therein and a booster battery associated therewith, means whereby any subscriber can extend connection to said repeater and thence to an operators position, means whereby said booster battery is temporarily connected in series with the exchange battery when said connection is extendedito said repeater to tes' tor one ot saic attachments, means whereby said attachment shorts out said line relay, and means responsive to the deenergization of said line relay to give the Operator a distinctive class signal.

14. The combination, with restricted and unrestricted subscribers stations, each of said restricted stations having an attachment placed on the induction coil, ot' a repeater, a polarized relay, means whereby any subscriber can extend connection to said repeater and thence to an operators position, means whereby said repeater tests for the presence ot one ot said attachments, and means whereby said attachment causes said repeater to operate said relay to give the operator a characteristic signal indicative oit the class of station.

15. In a telephone system, a line, a plurality of stations on said line, the restricted stations having restricted service attachments thereat, a repeater at the exchange, means whereby any subscriber can extend connection to said repeater and thence to an operators position, an auxiliary battery associated with said repeater, circuit means for temporarily connecting said auxiliary battery in series with the exchange battery to test tor the presence of one of said attachments, and automatic means in said repeaterV tor causing a distinctive signal to be given to the operator, the particular type of signal depending upon whether an attachment is encountered at the substation or not.

16. In a telephone system, a line, a plurality of stations on said line, the restricted stations having restricted service attachments thereat, a repeater at the exchange, means whereby any subscriber can extend connection to said repeater and thence to an operators position, an auxiliary battery associated with said repeater, circuit means for temporiarily connecting said auxiliaryV battery in series with the exchange battery to test for the presence of one of said attachments, a current reversing relay in said repeater, a signaling circuit controlled by said relay, and circuit means whereby' subscribers stations, a restricted service attachment at certain ot' .said stations, means tor extending any station to an operators iosition, wo signals at said poslticn, means tor operating one signal when there is no attachment at the calling station, and means tor operatingI the other signal when there is.V

an attachment at the calling station.

18. ln a telephone system, a plurality oit subscribers stations oit diiierent character, automate switching equipment for enabling` the s bscriber at any station to tten-tl a connection to an operators position over any one ot a plurality ot' paths, and automatic means controlled trom the station on the calling line and operated iindependent oi the path `over which the connection is extended :tor giving the operator a characteristic visible signal indicative ot the character ot the calling station without the knowledge ot the calling subscriber.

19. ln a common battery subscribers telephone instrument, an electro-magnetically operated device responsive only to current di'erent from the normal line current, a hook switch for connecting said device in the ln-e circuit when the receiver is removed, and means controlled by said device tor modifying the electrical condition of aline conductor.

, 20. In a common battery substation telephone instrument, an induction coil, and a contact device operated by said coil when the normal current tlowing through its winding' is increased.

21. ln a common battery substation telephone instrument, an induction coil, a contact device operated by said coil when the normal current flowing through its winding` is increased, anda circuit controlled by said device for grounding the line to which the instrument is connected.

22. ln a telephone system, means for extending a calling line to an operators position, an' automatic device at the exchange operated responsive to the completion of said connection, a device at the calling` substation controlled by said iirst device, and another device at the exchange controlled by said substation device tosignal the operator.

23. ln a telephone system, means for extending a calling line to an operatoi"s position, a device at the exchange operable after the said connection is completed, a device at the calling substation controlled by said first device, and another device at the exchange controlled by said substation` device to signal the operator.

24a ln a telephone system, ineens ior cx lending zi culling' line to en operzu'os poeltion, an uutoinaic device at the exchange operated responsive to the call, a device at the calling suhetation controlled hv seid first device, and another device at the exchange controlled by said substation device to sig nel Jche operator.

In a telephone system, ineens for ex lending' a calling line, an automatic device at ille exchange operated responsive lio the cull, a device at the calling substation con'Lrolled by Vsaid first` device, und a switching device at the exchange controlled by said substzu tion device.

ln witness whereof, l hereunto Subscribe my naine this 9th day of May, A. D., 1923.

JOHN E. O'TLN il. 

